Just off the main street of this quiet North Cork village, you’ll find one of Ireland’s hidden gems. Doneraile Court, once home to the St. Leger family, is surrounded by 400 acres of beautiful 18th century parkland, landscaped in the \\\'Capability Brown\\\' style and open to the public. And here in the old kitchen of the ‘Big House’ there is a lovely tea room.
An atmospheric high-ceilinged room, complete with a set of servants’ bells. it offers tasty all-day fare for visitors to the Park.
A morning outing could begin with a bowl of traditional porridge with local honey and cream, perhaps, or a bacon butty, then there are scones and delicious cakes to enjoy with a cuppa in the morning or afternoon - and if you’re here for lunch you’re in for a treat, as there’s quite a varied lunch menu.
The regular menu offers soup or chowder to start with, and then all kinds of sandwiches, lasagne, quiche, ham on the bone with salad and brown bread. And don’t forget to check the specials board and see what they have for soup of the day and any extra hot dishes - an aromatic lamb curry, perhaps.
All very tasty, well priced and served with a smile in this very unusual setting. Well worth a visit
[The house, Doneraile Court, is not yet fully open to the public, but will be opened when the necessary restoration and safety work has been completed.]
